“Sorry, Miss Charmers, it’s just my colleague here being silly.”
“My dear, how many times do I have to tell you, it’s Belinda. Calling me Miss Charmers makes me sound like an old spinster.”
“Okay, Belinda.”
“That’s better.” The tone in her voice was seductive, making that high pitched laugh roll out again. I would have liked to crawl into a hole and never resurface. This is just a little more than insane.
“I have a five o’clock cancel on me today, so I can meet you then, if you’re free?” I was hoping she wasn’t. I had my eyes shut, mouthing the words, “please, please, please, please,” over and over again.
“That would be lovely, Angelina. I will meet you there. Look forward to it, Chica.”
Oh, fucking hell!!
“Okay, see you there at five.” I put the phone down as quickly as possible to a chorus of laughter from Shelly, Anthony, and Brad.
“You three are so dead meat. You’re all taking me for a drink after work. You owe me.” I was pissed off, exhausted, and in bad need of that drink now. I’d been so good these past three weeks, hardly socialising, taking plenty of walks to familiarise myself with the area more, and going to bed at a decent time. It wasn’t like me to be this way, but I didn’t want to let Jonathan down. I’ve been trying my best and I think I’ve been doing well. Time to let my hair down a little.
“I can go,” both Shelly and Brad said.
I turned towards Anthony with a questioning eyebrow. “I can’t, sorry. It’s my wife’s birthday today and I promised her a slap-up meal.”
I smiled at Anthony, but decided to play a little joke. “Any excuse, Anthony.”
“Ah, come on, Angelina. Definitely next time, any day—tomorrow even, if you want—but not today. Katherine will never forgive me.”
“Tell Katherine from me that I wish her a very happy birthday.”
“Thank you,” he beamed.
“And that her husband owes me a very large vodka tonic.”
“Done.” He held out his hand and I took it for a swift shake.
Dipping my head down, I buried myself in my hands. “Oh God, has anyone got any tranquilisers?” I was starting to wish this day would end already.
“Aww, come on, Angelina. You’ll get through this.”
Shelly rubbed my shoulders, trying to calm my nerves. “I didn’t mean for me.” I laughed into my arms and the gang joined in with me, but suddenly Shelly jumped across to her desk. With all of us staring, she retrieved a bag and pulled out a rape alarm. “Here, take this.”
For a moment I tried to analyse her face, but she seemed deadly serious. Anthony and Brad both looked like they’re about to spontaneously combust.
“Fuck that for a game of scrabble. Jesus, Shelly, are you trying to kill me here?”
Her face was confused, as she shrugged her shoulders. “Just trying to help.” She placed the rape alarm back in her bag and sauntered over to her desk.
“I don’t think I need that kind of help from you. That’s two drinks you owe me now—and make them large ones.” I was being demanding, but I didn’t much care after that.
“No problema, senorita,” she purred.
“Keep going and it will be three.” She wisely kept quiet and everyone went back to work at their desks. I couldn’t help looking at the time every sodding minute. I just want this over already.
Once it got to ten minutes to five, I thought it better to get going before I decided to leg it up to my flat, crawl into my bed and hide. That flat, and my bed, seemed rather enticing right now.
The gang wished me luck, to which I replied, “Go to hell,” and I swiftly made my way to Royal Avenue.
It didn’t help my mood that it looked like it was going to rain. It already had that new rain smell you get once it hits the pavements and settles there. I had my trustee umbrella tucked under my arm in the eventuality that it did rain once I had finished showing Cruella de Vil round the house.
I got to the house with a couple of minutes to spare and unfortunately Charming Charmers was already waiting for me.
“Hola, como estas, mi amor?” Her words were ringing out like a song almost. She was looking like a woman about to go to the races with her long red dress and even longer fur coat she had on. She was smoking a cigarette and very carefully breathed it up her nose as I came closer to her. She was flirting already.
The vodka’s calling, the vodka’s calling!
“Hi, Miss Char… Belinda, sorry. Are you ready to go in now?”
She flicked her golden brown locks and threw her cigarette in the street. “Si, lead the way, Chica.”
I walked past her and could feel her eyes follow me as I passed. They were practically burning a hole into the back of me as I unlocked the door.
“The current owners have just recently moved out the last couple of days, so you will see it as a blank shell now. That might help you better with this second viewing.”
Walking through the long hallway, we were greeted by a grand staircase. I took her through, room by room, trying not to maintain much eye contact—which was hard. I always like to look people in the eye when I speak, so this way was all foreign to me. We got to one of the bedrooms upstairs where she came so close to me I thought I couldn’t breathe.
“Has anyone ever told you that you have the most beautiful and unusual eyes? They’re brown, but they’re not brown. They’re green, but they’re not green. Remarkable.”
I briefly looked her in the eyes and she smiled. “Erm,” I began. “As you can see, this is the only item of furniture they have left. It’s way too big for them to manoeuvre.” The item I was referring to was a humungous king size, four poster bed, sitting very regally in the middle of the room.
“It’s fabulous,” she cooed. Very soon her hand was on my hair. Picking up a lock, she studied it for a moment. “You have the most gorgeous hair. It flows so elegantly down your beautifully curved back.”
I immediately stiffened at her touch and she noticed it straight away. “Do I make you nervous, Angelina?”
I cleared my throat. “No, I’m just not used to people playing with my hair when I’m trying to show them around a property.” I squirmed a little trying to gain some space between us.
“You must have had someone try to touch you in some way my darling. You’re a very attractive young lady.”
I tried to think of something fast, and the only thing I could think of to say was, “Yes, well… my boyfriend thinks so.”
A quirk of a smile touched her lips as she paced the room a little. She was looking around, going through the motions, but I was wondering if she was really interested in this place or not.
“So, you have a boyfriend?” Her back is turned, but I could tell she was still smiling.
“Yes,” I answered, quickly.
“And what is his name?”
Oh dear, I wasn’t ready for that. I didn’t know why this was relevant, but maybe she was just trying to put me on the spot. My head was spinning for an answer, but I didn’t want to hesitate too long. Eventually, the only name that popped into my head was the man whore’s name. “Jacob,” I said in one breath. My goodness, inventing boyfriends was harder than I thought.
“Jacob?” she asked.
“Yes, that’s my boyfriend’s name, Jacob. I love him very much.” It was a strange feeling having to explain myself to this devil woman. If she were a man, I would just tell her to fuck off. It’s not like I haven’t done that countless of times before. I suppose having a woman try it on with you for the very first time would do that to you. It was all new territory for me.
“I see,” she said turning towards me. “I very much like this house, Angelina. I would like to put in an offer, if I may?”
Wow, of all the things, I wasn’t expecting that. “Okay,” I said nervously. “How much would you like to offer?”
“Let’s round it down to four, shall we? I assume that’s what they’re after?” She swiftly turned again
and looked out of the bedroom window.
“I think you may be right, but I will have to speak with the vendor first and get back to you.”
She walked towards me quickly and stroked my chin. “Please do so.”
I immediately tensed again, but she was outside of the bedroom door and heading down the stairs quicker than my head could register.
Oh, thank God that’s over!
I practically ran down the stairs, and outside where Cruella was waiting for me. “I’ll speak to the vendors as soon as I get back to the office, and call you with an answer as soon as I have one.”
“Great,” she said, handing me a card. “Call me if you ever get tired of your boyfriend.” She locked eyes with me and winked.
I smiled awkwardly and took the card, but it wasn’t until I walked past her with my back to her that I felt it. Her hand on my arse!
Her hot breath was now invading my ear. “It was lovely seeing you again, Angelina. I look forward to your call.” She strolled off, shaking her hips back and forth as she went. To a man, this would be hot, but to me, it was completely wasted.
With a sharp intake of breath, I was ready to bolt. Suddenly my feet found so much movement that I was practically running back to work. It was starting to rain a little, so I tried putting up my umbrella. It was no use though. I was so uptight and anxious to get as far away from that woman as possible that nothing I did worked. I was so caught up in trying to undo the thing when my head practically slammed into a very solid chest. “I’m sorry,” I said, still looking at my umbrella.
“Would you like me to help with that?”
Oh my fucking God, that voice. If ever heaven invented the sound of a voice so beautiful, so sexy, so seductive, his would be it. I followed my eyes up from the umbrella, to his chest. He was wearing a grey jacket with blue shirt and navy tie that clung to his broad shoulders. I followed higher and found his lips. The most curved, sculptured pouty lips I had ever seen on a man.
The next thing I noticed was his sexy stubble. What I wouldn’t give to run my fingers up and down his face. Then I saw his eyes. The most beautiful light blue eyes—like swimming pools, I wanted to dive in.
Then there was his hair, or lack of it. He obviously liked a close shave, but there was a hint of very dark hair on top of his head. He must have been in his mid-twenties, and oozed sex appeal with an air of wealth—which only added to his allure.
Could this guy be any sexier?!
I found myself staring for what seemed like an age. My stomach was not only having butterflies, it had an all out war going on in there. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, this man was so beautiful.
The feeling inside me was alien and I didn’t like it. I watched as he drunk me in; his eyes were waving at me with those luscious eyelashes of his. I wanted to run—wanted to bolt—but it was like my feet were cemented to the ground. My heart couldn’t seem to find any rhythm and my breathing quickly followed suit.
What is wrong with me?
I suddenly felt anger towards this stranger. How dare he make me feel this way. I didn’t even know him and I felt my insides were going to explode if he looked at me one more time with those fucking come-to-bed eyes of his.
“I’m fine,” I said with gritted teeth. Lords knows how I found the two words to string together, but I did. They came out like I was a baby practising speech, but I got there somehow.
“I don’t think I recall ever seeing you around here before.” The sexy stranger grinned at me and I nearly passed out.
“Well it is a big place,” I said, sarcastically. I’m not doing very well. I’m being rude to him and making it obvious. Instead I got back to fiddling with my umbrella just so I didn’t have to look at him again. No matter how much I actually did want to look at him.
“Here, Angel, let me help you with that.”
Snapping my head up at him, my eyes bulged. “How did you…?” I began. He stared at me, noticing my shocked reaction. “Oh, never mind,” I said storming off.
“Wait!” he shouted after me. “You’re name’s not Angel is it?”
I turned around, feeling the drops coming that little bit more persistently. “No, it’s Angelina.” I looked at him like I didn’t give a fuck, but I know I do. I sure hope I have a good poker face.
“Heaven most be missing one,” he said with a cheeky grin.
“Oh really.” I rolled my eyes at him. “Like I’ve never heard that one before.” He looked at me, somewhat confused. I could see he was trying to figure something out, but I didn’t know what. I’m about to turn around but then I hear that damn voice of his again. “Goodbye, my angel.”
With a swing of my heels, I was about to snap at him again, but it was almost like he had vanished into thin air. Poof, he was gone. I started to wonder if Cruella had slipped me something without my knowledge. I was starting to see things now.
I eventually got back to the office in one piece. Although it was difficult, I somehow managed to put the umbrella up in the end. I don’t know why I even bothered to tell you the truth, as I was all wet now. My hair was dripping all over the floor by the time I was back at the shop. I didn’t give a shit. I wanted a drink.
A full set of eyes lingered on me the minute I pushed the door open. Shelly, Brad, and Anthony were looking at me with great big fuck off grins on their faces.
Pricks.
“What you smiling at?” I wasn’t in the mood. I was wet, I was uncomfortable—I’d just been felt up by the Dalmatian lady—and had a mirage of the most gorgeous arsehole I had ever seen on the planet.
“How did it go?” Anthony sat there, nervously twiddling his thumbs. He could see I was angry, so tried to ask as nicely as possible.
“It was hideous. I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but Cruella’s got roving hands,” I said, trying to dust myself off. “At least she made an offer.”
“She did?” Shelly almost squealed the words.
“Yes, now I have to ring the vendors and get this whole thing wrapped up as quickly as possible. The pub is calling me.”
I sat down—or rather flopped down—at my desk, and flicked through my list of contacts. I quickly found the Marcus’s mobile number and dialled.
They were happy when I called as it sounded as though they wanted the sale as quickly as possible. They were moving to the US and were keen to cut ties as quickly as possible. They were happy with the four million, and I was very happy with the nice commission cheque I was about to receive at the end of the month. Although the day didn’t go extremely well, at least I could be happy with one thing.
I rang Charming Charmers and told her the good news. She was happy and said that she would make arrangements for the transfer of the deposit tomorrow.
I was finally happy and breathing more easily by the time I had hung the phone up on her. I rushed in quickly to tell Jonathan the good news—which he was more than pleased with.
“You better go home and get dried up, Angelina. You’ll catch a death.”
“Thanks,” I said, relieved. “We’re going for drinks in a little while, fancy joining us?”
He looked up, watching my wet hair drip down my blouse. I didn’t think he could help it, but he lingered as a very wet area was forming around my breast.
“Erm,” he said, clearing his throat. “I have things to do this evening. Maybe another time though.” He tried to look at anything, but me—which was quite sweet.
“Okay, I’ll be off then. See you tomorrow, Jonathan.” Turning around, I headed for the door.
“Yes, see you tomorrow. Oh, and Angelina… well done for today. Tell everyone they’re free to go. I think we’ve done about all that we can for the day.”
“Okay, thanks Jonathan.”
As I entered the shop I told everyone they could leave. Anthony had already gone home to be with his wife, so that just left me, Shelly, Brad, and the evil twins. They didn’t look best pleased that I had come out to tell them to go home. I just ignored them and concen
trated on Shelly and Brad. “Do you two want to head over to the bar and I’ll join you once I change?”
They both nodded and told me that they’d be at Antonio’s across the road.
I ventured up to my beloved flat and quickly got changed into a nice pencil skirt and black polo neck top. I tried towel drying and brushing the tangles out, but it was no use. In the end, I just left it loose to dry naturally. I touched up my make-up and dabbed some shiny lip gloss on. I was as ready as I could ever be with the short time I had.
Right, time to do some heavy drinking!
CHAPTER 4
As I walked into the bar I found it pretty lively. Shelly and Brad were propped up in deep conversation. They spotted me straight away and Shelly motioned to a drink on the bar.
“Double vodka tonic, me lady.” She smiled her sweet, childlike smile and I couldn’t help aim one right back at her.
“Thanks. I really need this.” And I did really need it. I picked it up and bolted it down in one go. I had been too good these past three weeks—time to be a bit naughty.
I had two pair of eyes bulging at me like I had just broke wind or something.
“Okay… time to get you another.” Brad motioned to the barman and I smiled.
“Now, that’s what I’m talking about.” I looked at Shelly, but noticed her eyes scanning something behind my back.
“Oh. My. Fucking. God.”
I turned around to see what she was looking at and spotted my mirage. It was almost as if he felt my eyes staring—as within seconds—his were burning into mine. He had company—lots of company. The women were practically drooling all over him. “Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.” I kept saying it, and Shelly and Brad kept looking at me like I’d lost the plot. I think I may have—just a little.
“What’s the matter?” Shelly asked.
“I bumped into him earlier. He asked if he could help with my umbrella. He called me Angel and I nearly flipped.”
“Wow, what a coincidence. You must have checked him out a little, he’s hot—like, steaming hot.”
“There are no guys present in this group at all.” Brian motioned with his hands as if to say, “What the fuck?” He obviously didn’t like the fact he was the only man with a couple of girls—one of which was leering at a man.
Until I Met You Page 5
